Background

To enhance cross-study analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other large-scale genomic and epidemiologic research, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) supports a consensus-building effort called PhenX (Phenotype and eXposures, https://www.phenx.org/). The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is currently sponsoring a 1-year Administrative Supplement to expand the depth and breadth of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Substances measures in the PhenX Toolkit (https://www.phenxtoolkit.org/). A 10-member Substance Abuse and Addiction (SAA) Scientific Panel (SSP), chaired by Dr. Kenneth Sher, will facilitate the inclusion of one core collection and six specialty collections of SAA measures in the Toolkit.

Six Specialty Areas

Assessment of substance use and substance use disorders

Substance-specific intermediate phenotypes

Substance use-related neurobehavioral and cognitive risk factors

Substance use-related psychosocial risk factors

Substance use-related community factors

Substance use-related comorbidities and health-related outcomes

Between seven and nine scientists with relevant expertise in the selected specialty areas are serving on three SAA Working Groups (WGs), each addressing two of the specialty areas as defined by the SSP. Each SAA WG has two SSP liaisons and is supported by an RTI WG manager. The task of the SAA WGs is to select up to eight measures for each specialty area. Each WG has 4 months to identify a set of well-established, high-priority measures for inclusion in the PhenX Toolkit. It is expected that some 48 SAA measures will be added to the Toolkit by spring 2012. Use of the selected consensus measures will make it easier to compare results from different studies or to combine studies to create larger sample sizes, increasing statistical power and the ability to detect more subtle and complex associations.

Representatives from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutes and Centers (ICs) are invited to participate in PhenX activities, including the SAA project. The NIH liaisons bring substantial expertise and experience to these processes. The liaisons will exchange relevant information with their ICs and help ensure that PhenX is coordinated with related NIH initiatives.